Carolynn Cosan scrimmage to help improve Horizon Park

A soccer game is set for Sunday at the Horizon Park soccer complex in Mt. Pleasant in memory of soccer player Carolynn Cosan of Mt. Pleasant, who died in a car accident in 2010. The third annual game is a fundraiser to help improve the complex.

A purely-for-fun soccer game is set for Sunday to remember a well-loved Mt. Pleasant soccer player and to raise money to improve the Horizon Park soccer complex.

The third annual Carolynn Cosan Memorial Game will raise funds to help build a picnic pavilion and concession stand at the park adjacent to the soccer fields, according to Kip Cosan, Carolynn’s mother.

“I’m coaching now,” said Kip Cosan, “and we have no protection if there’s a storm.”

The 2 p.m. scrimmage is open to anyone who wants to donate $20; it’s $10 for players under 12. A neon green and heather gray T-shirt goes with the deal; Kip Cosan said many people just get the shirt. A limited number of $5 memorial bracelets also will be available.

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Earlier fundraisers produced enough money to build dugouts for both the varsity and junior varsity fields.

Mt. Pleasant Public Schools owns the soccer fields and the city of Mt. Pleasant owns the park, but there’s no real dividing line between the two. The city has had the plans to make the improvements eventually, and is willing to match up to $5,000 in donor funds.

Some anonymous donors also have come forward willing to give matching money, Kip Cosan said. Gifts to the Mt. Pleasant Soccer Club or Mt. Pleasant Parks and Recreation are tax-deductible.

“We’ll also have a bake sale,” Kip Cosan said.

Carolynn Cosan died in a single-car crash May 14, 2010, on Vandecar Road. People who knew her describe her as a passionate, dedicated young woman, an honors student who lived for soccer during warm weather and snowboarding during the winter.

In addition to playing for Mt. Pleasant High School, she played for several of the elite Vardar North teams. She had planned to attend Northern Michigan University on a soccer scholarship.

After her death, her parents were given her No. 14 jersey. On Sunday, the Cosans plan to give it back to Mt. Pleasant High School for a permanent display.

Vicki Begres, one of the event organizers, said registration is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. near the Gorton-Cosan Memorial Garden at the entrance to Horizon Park at Sweeney and Eastpointe streets.

Questions can be directed to Vicki Begres at 989-289-4142, or Kristina Begres at 989-205-1746.

Mark Ranzenberger is online editor of TheMorningSun.com. Follow him on Facebook at facebook.com/ranzenberger.